International Maritime Statistics Forum
A network of 40+ member organisations that produce, use and analyse maritime data and statistics. Meeting under the Chatham House Rule since the early 1970s.
Member organisations, 2026
- ALBA Graduate Business School
- Agronomics Scandinavia
- Almi Tankers
- British Ports Association
- Cefor
- Chevron Oronite
- Container Trades Statistics
- Deree, The American College of Greece
- DNV
- DS Norden
- Dynamar
- E.A. Gibson Shipbrokers
- EMSA
- Erik Thun
- Eurostat
- Everllence
- Fundación Valenciaport
- Hanwha Ocean
- Ifchor Galbraiths
- Kongsberg Maritime
- Kpler
- Kuehne+Nagel
- Kühne Logistics University
- Lloyd's List
- MacGregor
- Marine Benchmark
- Maritime Data
- maritime-insight
- MB Shipbrokers
- Port of Rotterdam
- Siglar Carbon
- Tankers International
- Technical University of Denmark
- Tradeviews
- UK Chamber of Shipping
- UNCTAD
- University of Southampton
- Vortexa
- Windward
- World Bank
- Xeneta
Better maritime statistics, discussed openly
The IMSF began as an informal coalition of statisticians working in international maritime institutions. The aim has not changed in fifty years: improve the quality of maritime statistics, harmonise how they are produced, and widen what is available.
Once a year, members meet for two to three days, hosted by a member organisation in a different city. Sessions cover the questions the industry is working through at the time, with plenty of room for debate.
How meetings work
- Size
- Around 50 delegates, so every session stays a conversation.
- Rules
- Chatham House Rule throughout. Views can be used, not attributed.
- Cost
- Attendance is free. Dinners are usually sponsored by members.
- Hosting
- A member organisation hosts, in a different city each year.
- Joining
- Membership is free. Most members join by attending a meeting first.
Who takes part
Senior people from across the maritime ecosystem who have a stake in the numbers.
- Ports and port authorities
- Shipping companies
- Commodity traders
- Shipbrokers
- Classification societies
- Marine insurers
- Data providers
- Universities and research bodies
- Governments and international bodies
Meetings
| Year | City | Host | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Rotterdam | Venue to be confirmed | 19 to 21 April |
| 2026 | Hamburg | Kühne Logistics University | 15 to 17 April |
| 2025 | Oslo | DNV, Høvik | 28 to 30 April |
| 2024 | Athens | ALBA Graduate Business School | 13 to 15 May |
| 2023 | London | E.A. Gibson Shipbrokers | 10 to 11 May |
Steering Committee
The committee sets each year's location and agenda, and reviews membership applications. The Chair signs off each new member.
Claire Wright (LinkedIn)
Hanwha Ocean
Frederikke Munk Sørensen (LinkedIn)
Everllence
Richard Matthews (LinkedIn)
E.A. Gibson
Rory Proud (LinkedIn)
Maritime Data
Colin Cridland (LinkedIn)Independent advisor
DNVApply to join
Membership is free. Tell us who you are and what you would bring to the discussion. The Steering Committee reviews every application and replies by email.
What members get
- A place in a 50-year-old network of maritime data professionals
- The members' discussion forum, launching soon
- An invitation to every annual meeting
- The opportunity to present at the annual meeting
- A say in each year's agenda
Most members join by attending a meeting first. Tick the box to be considered for a place at Rotterdam 2027.